ORANGE — Ralph C. Mahar Regional School could save $125,208 in the fiscal year 2026 budget by cutting two full-time positions.

Michele Tontodonato, director of finance and operations, submitted a preliminary budget summary to School Committee members at a virtual meeting last week and explained line items and reasons for increases or decreases.

She explained the proposed budget is $16.87 million, a 6.79% increase from the current year’s figures, largely driven by increased health insurance, utilities and special education costs. However, the budget could be reduced to less than $16.75 million by eliminating two full-time positions. Tontodonato said no specific positions have been identified, but the cuts would likely affect non-teaching roles.

The recommended increase in school building leadership pay and supplies is $42,597. The hike is due to the addition of a one-year math curriculum program and a change to an instructional coach salary, adding 10 per diem days during the summer. Replacement of certain technology is responsible for the 7.1% proposed increase to the general education instructional technology line item, from $324,892 to $347,934.

Higher utility and contracted service costs is the main reason behind a 9.8% increase in the facilities and maintenance line item, and contractually obligated coaching salary increases and higher transportation costs are reflected in a proposed 12.2% hike in the athletics budget.

Insurance costs are projected to go up from nearly $2.37 million to $2.58 million.

According to Tontodonato’s presentation, the proposed special education budget carries a 10% increase and would constitute 23.6% of the overall budget. The spike is attributed to contract rate increases along with out-of-district costs. Twenty-one students with identified programming needs will receive out-of-district programming for FY26.

The proposed 6.9% increase in the general education teaching line item can be explained by contract salary increases along with increased requests from departments for textbooks and instructional materials, plus an increased allotment for virtual high school and dual-enrollment courses. Tontodonato noted that one librarian was added in the preliminary budget, but due to necessary cuts, that position was eliminated.

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Tontodonato said the budget presented to the School Committee last week is still a rough draft. She and School Committee members will be working to tighten up the budget while being conscientious of the fiscal realities of member towns and maintaining educational standards.

“Over the next few months, the next steps are meeting with stakeholders such as town officials, school councils, etc., and adjusting the budget as needed,” Tontodonato said. “The challenge is always providing an appropriate education to all students when our revenue from the state tends to be minimally raised and the towns are challenged financially themselves.”

Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120. Madison Schofield contributed reporting.